Vending machine with adjustable price setting

ABSTRACT

A vending machine adapted to dispense commodities at different prices while utilizing a single coin slot for the insertion of money. A plurality of plungers is provided, with each plunger adapted to dispense a commodity from an associated magazine. A totalizer is provided for mechanically recording and indicating the total amount of money deposited in the coin slot. Upon operation of any given plunger, a feeler is brought into contact with an adjustable indicator associated with the totalizer whereby the feeler will sense whether the correct amount of money needed to operate the given plunger has been deposited in the vending machine and recorded on the totalizer. If the correct amount of money has been inserted, a latch will be released and the plunger will be permitted to continue a full stroke operation, thereby dispensing a commodity from its associated magazine.

United States Patent [72] lnventor Henry Verbeke Chester, NJ.

[21 Appl. No. 789,738

[22] Filed Jan. 8, 1969 [45] Patented May 11, 1971 [73] Assignee Universal Vendors, Inc.

Philadelphia, Pa.

[54] VENDING MACHINE WITH ADJUSTABLE PRICE Primary ExaminerStanley H. Tollberg Attorney-Caesar, Rivise, Bernstein & Cohen ABSTRACT: A vending machine adapted to dispense commodities at different prices while utilizing a single coin slot for the insertion of money. A plurality of plungers is provided, with each plunger adapted to dispense a commodity from an associated magazine. A totalizer is provided for mechanically recording and indicating the total amount of money deposited in the coin slot. Upon operation of any given plunger, a feeler is brought into contact with an adjustable indicator associated with the totalizer whereby the feeler will sense whether the correct amount of money needed to operate the given plunger has been deposited in the vending machine and recorded on the totalizer. If the correct amount of money has been inserted, a latch will be released and the plunger will be permitted to continue a full stroke operation, thereby dispensing a commodity from its associated magazine.

PATENTEDMAYI '1 I97!- SHEET 01 [1F 11 IN VEIV TOR HENRY VERBEKE BY CQMM,W, M & Wu

ATTORNE Y5.

SHEET 02 gr PATENTEU nan-1 Ian v as, vm wmw Qmw wk mmw mmw mum mQ WWW INVENTOI? HENRY VERSE/(E ATTORNEYS .PATENIEMAYHIQ?! 13578.12?

' sum 03 or 11 INVENTOR HENRY VERBEKE ATTORNEYS PATENTED m1 Hen SHEET Uh 0F 11 IN VEIV TOR HENRY VERBEKE A TTORNE Y5 .PATENTEU mm 1 197i SHEET 05 OF IN VE/V TOR HENRY VERBEKE FIG. 8

ATTORNEYS- PATENTEU m1 1 |97| SHEET 07 OF R m w W HE NR) VERBE/(E A "mm PATEN TEU HAYI 1 m V 127 SHEET 09 [1F 11 IIVVE/V TOR HENRY VERBEKE ATTORNEYS.

PATENTE-U m1 1 I97! SHEET 11 0F FIG. /5

INVENTOR HENRY VERBEKE ATTORNEYS VENDING MACHINE WITH ADJUSTABLE PRICE SETTING This invention relates to a vending machine, and more particularly, to a vending machine which is adapted to dispense a variety of differently priced commodities.

A number of vending machines have recently been developed which are adapted to dispense commodities of varying prices by using a single coin slot. For example, a single vending machine can now dispense commodities priced at $.25, $.30, and $.50 by providing locking mechanisms which are responsive to a given amount of money deposited within the vending machine. Thus, a plunger associated with any given column of merchandise will not be operational until at least the preset amount of money required to dispense the item from that column has been deposited in the vending machine and recorded on a totalizer associated with the coin slot of the vending machine.

One of the prior art devices capable of dispensing commodities of varied prices is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,993,58I. The device disclosed in'this patent is capable of dispensing items of three different prices, with the price for each of the items being variable. Sensing means are provided in the device for determining which of three prices is to be used with any given plunger and its associated magazine. The plunger will operate only when the amount of money preset for the plunger has been deposited in the vending machine and recorded on the totalizer.

There are a number of shortcomings of the device disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,993,58l when compared to the device of this application. The patented device will not only dispense a commodity from a magazine when the amount of money required for dispensing has been deposited in the vending machine, but will also permit the plunger associated with that magazine to be operated if more thanthe required amount of money has been deposited in the vending machine. For instance, if a certain plunger is preset to operate at $.25, it will not only operate if $.25 has been deposited in the vending machine, but will also operate if $.50 has been deposited in the vending machine. Therefore, it a customer should inadvertently pull the wrong plunger, he will receive an unwanted $.25 item for which he has deposited $.50. Obviously, this will result in a dissatisfied customer and possibly abusive treatment of the vending machine when the customer realizes the error that has been made. 7

The device of U5. Pat. No. 2,993,581 requires an intricate system of levers, rods and latches in'order to render it'operational. The device of this application is far simpler in construction, therefore enabling the device to be produced far more economically. Another problem which could be inherent in .the device of US. Pat. No. 2,993,58l is that because of the intricate system of varying the prices for each of the plungers, there is a physical limitation on the number of different prices which can be used on the machine. As disclosed in the patent, only three different prices can be used. Contrasted with this, the device of this application is extremely simple in construction, requiring a relatively small amount of space, and therefore a substantially larger number of prices can be used with the machine. For instance, the device of this application is readily adapted for dispensing commodities at eight different prices.

Another vending machine capable of dispensing items of varied prices is that disclosed in US. Pat. No, 3,360,091. In the device of this machine, a separate lock is provided for each plunger and a separate lock release means is provided for releasing the lock at each plunger. Thelock release means is adjustable and is controlled by the amount of money deposited in the vending machine.

The device of this application utilizes a single lock for controlling all of the plungers. The lock is released for any given plunger upon the pulling of the plunger and the determination by a feeler as to whether the correct amount of money has been deposited in the vending machine to. permit the operation of the plunger. If the correct amount of money has been deposited, the plunger will automatically be permitted to undergo full stroke operation, thereby dispensing a commodity from a magazine associated with the plunger.

The price release mechanism of this invention is adapted not only for use with a single level machine, but can be used with any number of levels or tiers of commodities. Thus, a linkage can be provided whereby a plunger on any given level of the machine can be controlled by a single price release mechanism within the vending machine. Alternatively, separate price release mechanisms can be provided for each level.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a novel vending machine.

It is another object of this invention to provide a manually operated mechanical vending machine which is operable to dispense items of different prices through the use of a single coin slot.

These and other objects of this invention are accomplished by providing a vending machine comprising a plurality of columns for merchandise, a manually operable member for dispensing said merchandise associated with. each column, a' single lock means preventing dispensing operation of all of said manually operable members until a predetermined amount of money has been deposited in said vending machine, coin responsive means for mechanically indicating the total amount of money deposited in said vending machine, control means associated with said coin responsive means, and feeler means associated with said operable members, said feeler means adapted to contact said control means when one of said operable members is moved to cause dispensing of said merchandise, said feeler causing the opening of said lock means only when a predetermined amount of money has been deposited in said vending machine, with said feeler being controlled by said control means when this amount of money has been deposited, whereby said one of said operable members may be operated to dispense merchandise from its associated magazine when said predetermined amount of money has been deposited.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the vending machine of this invention; I

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the vending machine of this invention, with the door removed, and partially broken away for the purpose of clarity;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 3- 3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2,

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevational view taken in the direction of the line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the lock of the vending machine of this invention and its release mechanism;

FIG. 8 is a perspective, exploded view of a section of the price adjustment bar of the vending machine of this invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective exploded view of the price regulator of the vending machine of this invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the interconnection of the plunger and the price release mechanism of the vending machine of this invention;

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the coin bucket of the vending machine of this invention, and showing the coin return mechanism;

- FIG. 12 is a front elevational view, partly in section, of the coin bucket shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line 13-13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view showing the dropshelf mechanism of the vending machine of this invention prior to dispensing commodities; and

FIG. I5 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 14 but showing the condition of the shelves after all of the commodities in the column have been dispensed and showing the plunger associated with the column in a locked position.

Referring now in greater detail to the various FIGS. of the drawings wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts, a vending machine embodying the present invention is generally shown at 30 in FIG. 1. Device 30 includes a housing 32 having legs 34 and a front door 36. As is conventional in the art, door 36 is hingedly mounted for opening in order to permit the reloading of the columns or magazines within the vending machine, the servicing of the vending machine and the collection of money which has been deposited in the machine. The door can be provided with a transparent glass insert 38 through which the commodities in the machine can be viewed by having an opening 40 associated with each column.

A plunger 42 is associated with each column, and a delivery chute 44 is positioned below the columns for delivery of the commodities from the machine. The door also includes a slot 46 for the insertion of coins into the machine and a coin return plunger 48.

It is to be understood that the housing described above has been described solely for the purpose of showing one example of a housing that can be used for carrying out this invention. However, this invention is not limited to use with any particular housing or with any particular delivery system for vended commodities. Thus, the dispensing mechanism of the device of this invention is adapted for use with any mechanical vending machine known to the art.

As seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the frame structure of machine 30 includes upstanding end walls 50 and 52. A vertical supporting wall 54 is spaced inwardly from wall 50 and a second vertical supporting wall 56 is spaced inwardly from wall 52. A plurality of columns or magazines 58 is mounted between walls 54 and 56. Commodities 60 are shown schematically as being stacked in the columns. If desired, the columns can be separated by plates 62. By way of nonlimiting example, the commodities 60 can be stacked and dispensed utilizing the structure disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,160,3l4, as explained in greater detail hereinafter with respect to FIGS. 14 and 15.

A plunger 42 is associated with each column 58. As seen in FIG. 3, each plunger 42 includes a knob 64 associated with a rod 66. As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 10, each rod 66 is secured to the front face 68 of a U-shpaed member 70. A bar 72 is mounted in the rear face 74 of U-shaped member 70. As seen in FIG. 3, bars 72 project to the rear of the machine under columns 58, as will be explained in greater detail hereinafter with respect to FIGS. 14 and I5.

An L-shaped bar 76 (FIG. 2) extends across the entire width of machine 30 and is slidably mounted in openings in walls 54 and 56. As seen in FIGS. 8 and I0, L-shaped bar 76 includes a horizontal upper surface 78 and a vertical forward surface 80. Vertical face 80 is provided with a plurality of sets of tapped threaded holes 82. A plate 84 is secured against face 80 by a machine screw 86 which passes through hole 88 in the plate and is threadedly received in one of the holes 82. Plate 84 includes an upper flange 90 and a lower flange 92. As seen in FIG. 2, there are a plate 84 and holes 82 associated with each plunger 42.

As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, a horizontal plate 94 extends across the width of vending machine 30 between plates 54 and 56. Plate 94 includes a slot 96 extending across substantially its entire width. A plurality of lockout bars 98 is supported by plate 94. Lockout bars 98 include T-shaped extensions I00 projecting from their bottom surfaces (FIG. 4). The T-shapcd extensions permit the lockout bars 98 to slide laterally along slot 96, but prevent any rotational movement of the lockout bars.

Lockout bars 98 are kept in an abutting relation through the use of springs 102 and 104 (FIG. 3). Springs 102 and 104 are connected to the outermost lockout bars 98 and vertical front frame member 106. The springs are mounted in such a manner as to continually force the lockout bars together, as is apparent from FIG. 3. As seen in FIG. 10, a second U-shaped member 108 is mounted below U-shaped member 70. Member 108 includes a lower rectangular leg 110 and an upper leg I12. Leg 112 has a wedge-shaped front 114. A plate 116 connects plate 112 with the upper U-shaped member 70. Plate 116 also has a wedge-shaped front edge 118 being of the same size and shape as wedge I14 (FIG. 3). As seen in FIG. 4, leg I12 and plate 114 are positioned above plate 94, with the wedge-shaped portions I14 and 118 being adjacent the abutment line of a pair of contiguous lockout bars 98 (FIG. 3).

When a commodity is vended by pulling plunger 42, wedgeshaped sections I14 and I18 will pass between a pair of lockout bars 98, thereby forcing the lockout bars to opposite sides of the wedge-shaped members. This in turn will place a flat edge of a lockout bar 98 in front of the wedge-shaped member of every other plunger, thereby preventing the plunger from being pulled. This is a common expedient in the vending machine art for locking out all other plungers in a given row when a single plunger in that row is pulled for vending the commodity associated with the plunger.

As seen in FIG. 4, the plungers and their associated mechanisms are supported by frame sections I06, 120, 122, 124,126, 128, 54 and 56 (FIG. 3). A bar (FIGS. 2 and 3) extends across the entire width of vending machine 30 between plates 54 and 56. In its central portion, bar 130 has a square cross section, as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 10. It is rounded at its ends with one end being joumaled in bushing 134 in wall 56 (FIG. 3). A torsion spring 136 (FIG. 3) rotates bar 130 in a counterclockwise direction, as the bar is viewed in FIGS. 4 and It).

A plurality of levers I38 (FIGS. 4 and 10) is mounted on bar I30 with one lever being provided for each plunger 42. Each lever includes a yoke 140 formed from a leading leg 142, a trailing leg 144 and a slot 146. Leading leg I42 abuts an extension of the rear face'74 of U-shaped member 70 (FIG. 10) under the urging of spring 136.

A cam I48 (FIG. 3) is secured on bar 130 by hub 150. As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cam surface 152 tapers outwardly from wall 54 toward wall 50 in proceeding from the front to the rear of vending machine 30. This is also seen in FIG. 6. As seen in FIG. 2, a cam follower 154 is mounted on bar 76 by bracket I56, and projects through hole 157 in wall 54. The cam follower comprises a roller I58 rotatably mounted around a vertical axis between legs I60 and 162 of bracket 156 (see also FIG. 5). As pointed out above, bar 76 is freely slidably mounted in walls 54 and 56. The bar 76 is urged against cam 148 through cam follower 154 by spring 164 (FIG. 2). Spring I64 has one end secured to wall 54 and the other end secured to plate 166 which is in turn mounted on upper face 78 of bar 76.

Mounted on wall 56, and between walls 52 and 56, are a coin separator and slug rejector 168 (FIG. 2) and a totalizer or accumulator 170. The coin separator and slug rejector separates coins of value according to their denominations, and rejects coins of improper denominations, such as pennies and spurious coins. Such rejected coins are eventually removed from the device and are returned to the purchaser. Devices of this type are well-known in the art, and therefore specific details form no part of this invention. However, coin separators and slug rejectors which can be used in carrying out this invention are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,292,678 and 2,975,880.

The totalizer or accumulator 170 has selected paths for coins which, in passing therethrough, function to release a trip mechanism that imparts stepped rotation to a rotatable element. The rotatable element is advanced a predetermined rotational amount in proportion to the value of the coin deposited. Thus, by way of example, the rotatable member will advance 9 for each nickel deposited, 18 for each dime deposited, and 45 for each quarter deposited. Here again, the specific details of the totalizer form no part of this invention, as any totalizer known to the art can be used in carrying out the invention. By way of specific example, totalizers which can be used in carrying out this invention are those disclosed in US. Pat. Nos. 2,993,581, 3,155,213 and 3,186,532.

In FIG. 9, the totalizer 170 is shown as including a shaft 172 passing through the sidewall thereof. The shaft 172 is associated with a boss 174. The boss and shaft will rotate in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 9, in accordance with the value of the coins deposited in the vending machine. Thus, by way of example, there will be a counterclockwise rotation of 9 for every 5 of coin value deposited in the vending machine. A disc 176 is mounted over boss 174 and frictionally engages the boss. Disc 176 includes a central opening 178 which passes over boss 174. A hollow shaft 180 projects outwardly from opening 178. Mounted within shaft 180 is a disc 182 having a central opening 184. When the disc 176 is mounted over boss 174, the back face of disc 182 will abut the front face of boss 174. Additionally, shaft 172, which is internally threaded, will project into opening 184. Disc 176 also includes a pair of pins 188 projecting from its outer surface. Pins 188 are spaced 180 apart on the surface of the disc.

Discs 190, 192 and 194 having central openings 196, 198 and 200, respectively, are rotatably mounted on shaft 180. Each disc 190, 192 and 194 includes a plurality of holes 202 circularly arranged about the entire lateral surface of the disc.

By way of example, the holes 202 are arranged on 9 centers,

which isequal to the minimum stepped rotational movement of the totalizer. Additionally, each disc includes a pair of diametrically opposed pins 204 in its outer surface. The circumference of each disc is smooth with the exception ofa notch 206 formed in the circumference of each disc. .If desired, openings can be formed through the lateral faces of the discs for lightening purposes.

In assembly, disc'l76 is telescoped over boss 174 and discs 190, 192 and 194 are telescoped over shaft 180. The position of the notch 206 on each disc is oriented relative to a set position, such as a position equal to 12 oclock by the engagement of a pair of holes 202 on pins 188 or 204 of the adjacent disc. The positioning of the notches 206 will be explained in greater detail hereinafter in connection with the function of the machine. With the discs placed in their proper positions, they are resiliently held in place by thumb screw 208 and associated spring 210. The thumb screw 208 includes a shank 209 having a threaded end 211. The shank 209 is passed into the hollow bore of shaft 180 and through hole 184. The threaded end 211 is then engaged in the internally threaded hole in shaft 172. The force of spring 210 against the outer face of disc 194 resiliently holds the discs 190, 192 and 194 against disc 176, whereby rotational movement of disc 176 along with the boss 174 of totalizer 170 will cause an identical rotational movement in discs 190, 192 and 194.

As seen in FIGS. 4 and 10, a lever 212 is mounted on the end of bar 130 adjacent totalizer 170. Lever 212 is rigidly fixed on bar 130 with its opposite end pivotally linked to bar 214 by' pin 216. Bar 214 includes a notch 218 formed in its upper surface. The rear end of bar 214 is rigidly secured to link 220, as by rivets 222. Link 220 includes a pin 224 projecting horizontally outward from one face thereof.

As seen in FIG. 4, the rear end of link 220 is pivotally secured to lever 226 by pin 228. The top face of lever 226 is provided with a plurality of ratchet teeth 230. A pawl 232 is pivotally mounted on a frame wall by pin 234 and an associated washer 236. Pawl 232 is freely rotatable around pin 234 but is normally retained in the orientation shown in FIG. 4 by spring 238.

For a purpose to be described hereinafter, during the operation of the vending machine, lever 226 will be pulled in the direction of arrow 240. A plate 242 is mounted behind pawl 232. Plate 242 includes a lower portion 244 which is spaced outwardly from portion 242 and is parallel thereto. An opening 246 is formed in plate 242 to permit pivotal movement of pawl 232. When the lever 226 is pulled in the direction of arrow 240, it will be guided by lower portion 244 into contact with pawl 232.

As seen in FIGS. 4 and 10, an arm 248 is positioned adjacent link 220 and is pivotally mounted to the end of bar 76 by pin 250. Arm 248 has an upstanding finger 252 at one end thereof which is adjacent discs 176, 190, 192 and 194. Arm 248 includes an arcuate recess 254 in its top surface. As seen in FIG. 4, pin 224 rests on arm 248 at one end of recess 254. A spring 256, which is secured to arm 248 and plate 94, urges arm 248 upwardly and into contact with pin 224. As further seen in FIG. 4, pin 224 holds arm 248 out of contact with disc 194.

Arm 248 is secured to U-shaped bracket 258 by any suitable means, such as welding. A thin rod 260 is pivotally linked to bracket 258. The other end of rod 260 is pivotally linked to plate 262. Plate 262 is in turn pivotally connected to frame section 264 by pin 266. A suitable bushing 268 spaces plate 262 from frame section 264. As seen in FIGS. 4 and 10, the forward portion 270 normally rests on the lower edge of slot 218 in bar 214.

The vending operation of the machine will now be described. In order to vary the prices for each of the plungers, discs 190, 192 and .194 are used. As will be explained in greater detail hereinafter, vending can only take place when finger 252 enters the notch of a price disc 190, 192-or 194. This can only occur when the notch is lowermost on the price disc. Thus, the notch must be at the six oclock position, which is shown in FIGS. 4 and 10 for disc 194. As pointed out above, the device of this invention can be used by having $.05 increments on the totalizer rotate the totalizer shaft 172 9 in a counterclockwise direction. Holes 202 on discs 190, 192 and 194 are accordingly spaced on 9 centers. Each of the price discs 190,192 and 194 is freely rotatable around shaft 180. However,-' once a set position has been made for each price disc, the discis held rigidly in place by thumb screw 208 and the urging of spring 210 against the outermost disc 194.

In nonnal operation, each of the price discs will be set to dispense commodities of different prices. By way of example, price disc can be set to dispense commodities at $.25, price disc 192 can be set to dispense commodities at $.90 and price disc 194 can be set to dispense commodities at $1.25. Each disc is set in place when the totalizer 170 is in its normal retracted position, with no money recorded thereon. The disc is set by pulling the disc outward against the urging of spring 210 and rotating the disc to the required position. For instance, if disc 190 is to be set to dispense a commodity at $.25, the disc will first be placed with the notch 206 lowermost and then rotated in a clockwise direction until notch 206 is 45 clockwise from the lowermost position of the disc. This is easily determined since all of the holes 202 are on 9 centers. Therefore, disc 190 will have to be rotated in a clockwise direction through five holes in order to enable it to dispense commodities at $.25. Once the correct position for disc 190 has been set, the disc is held in place against disc 176 by inserting pins 188 in the adjacent holes 202 of disc 190.

After disc 190 has been set at its desired price, disc 192 is set. If, for instance, disc 192 is to be used for dispensing commodities at $.90, notch 206 would have to be positioned 162 clockwise away from the lowermost position of disc 192. This is equivalent to 18 holes on the surface of the disc. Thus, it will take 18 increments of $.05 in order to have notch 206 at the lowermost position, and therefore place it in a position to permit the dispensing of commodities which are valued at $.90. After the proper position for disc 192 has been set, the disc is held in place by the insertion of pins 204 in holes 202 in the disc.

Disc 194 is put in its proper position for dispensing commodities in the same manner as the other discs. By way of example, if disc 194 is used to control the dispensing of commodities valued at $1.25, notch 206 must be positioned 225 in a clockwise direction away from the lowermost position of the disc 194. This positioning is arrived at by multiplying 25, the number of $.05 increments required to make $1.25, by nine, the increment for each $.05 evaluation.

In the foregoing discussion, the method of arriving at the proper positioning for each of the notches has been analyzed. However, in actual practice, indicia can be placed around the circumference of disc 176 in order to indicate the proper position for the notch in each price disc in order to permit vending at a given price for each of the discs. Additionally, the 9 incremental advance of the totalizer 170 can also be varied to suit the needs of the user. Thus, .for larger denominational vending, where increments of $.10 or $.25 are used, the totalizer 170 can be advanced a proportionately greater amount for each increment, or vending can take place at proportionately greater amounts using the 9 incremental rotation of the totalizer.

Plates 84 are used for mechanically linking each plunger 42 with its appropriate price disc. Thus, as pointed out above, there is a plate 84 for each of the plungers 42. As seen in FIG. 8, there are three threaded holes 82 for each plate 84. When the price to be associated with a plunger 42 is that which is set on disc I94, screw 86 is placed in the left hole 82. If the price to be associated with the plunger 42 is that which is preset on disc 192, screw 86 is placed in the middle hole 82, and if the price is to be that which is set on disc 190, screw 86 is placed in the right hole 82.

By way of specific example, assuming that disc 194 has been set to permit the vending of a commodity at $.25, and it is desired to purchase a $.25 commodity from the right-hand column in FIG. 2, the plunger 42 associated with that column will be pulled after $.25 has been deposited in the machine. The $.25 can be deposited in any combination of nickels or dimes, or a quarter can be deposited. Thus, as pointed out above, the totalizer will have an incremental or stepped rotation of 9 for every $.05 of value deposited in the vending machine. After the $.25 in coin value has been deposited, the notch 206 in disc 194 will be advanced to the lowermost position of the disc, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 10. Thus, notch 206 will be positioned directly above finger 252.

After the money has been deposited, plunger 42 is pulled outwardly from the machine in the direction of arrow 272 in FIG. 10. The pulling of the plunger moves Ushaped member 70 forward, and rear face 74 of the U-shaped member will enter slot 146 in yoke 140, and bear against the leading leg 142 of the yoke. As the plunger 42 is pulled forwardly in the direction of arrow 272, wedge-shaped sections 114 and 118 of U-shaped member 108 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 4) will pass between a pair of adjacent lockout bars 98, thereby spreading the bars to both sides of the wedge-shaped sections. At the same time, the pressure of leg 74 of U-shaped member 70 against the leading leg 142 of yoke 140 will rotate bar 130 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 10. The rotation of bar 130 will in turn cause cam 148 to rotate in the direction of arrow 274 (FIGS. 5 and 6). As seen in FIG. 6, as the cam 148 is rotated, cam follower 154 would normally be free to move laterally in the direction of arrow 276, in view of the fact that the cam follower is supported on L-shaped bar 76. As pointed out above, L-shaped bar 76 is freely slidable in walls 54 and 56, and is normally urged through wall 54 by spring 164 (FIG. 2). However, when utilizing the price disc 194, plate 84 is secured to bar 76 by the securement of screw 76 in the left hole 82 (FIG. 8). When in this position, as seen in FIG. 10, the leg 110 of U-shaped member 108 will abut the edge of plate 84. Accordingly, even though bar 76 would normally be pulled to the left by spring 164 when the plunger 42 is pulled, lateral movement of the bar 76 is prevented by abutment of leg 110 against the edge of plate 84. With the plate in this position, arm 248 and its associated finger 252 will be aligned with price disc 194, as seen in FIGS. 4 and 10.

Referring again to FIGS. 4 and 10, it is seen that simultaneously with the rotation of cam 148 by the bar 130, link 212 will also be rotated in a clockwise direction. Since link 212 is pivotally connected to bar 214, bar 214 will be moved substantially rectilinearly in the direction of arrow 278 upon the rotation of bar 130. The reason for the substantial rectilinear movement of bar 214 is readily apparent from FIG. 4 wherein it is seen that one end of bar 214 is pivotally mounted at 216 with the other end being rigidly mounted to link 220, which is in turn pivotally mounted to lever 226. I

The movement of bar 214 in the direction of arrow 278 will cause the abutment of the leading edge 280 of link 220 against the forward portion 270 of plate 262. Thus, the plate 262 within notch 218 serves as a lock for the vending machine. In order for plunger 42 to be rendered operational for vending its associated commodity, plate 262 must be removed from the path of leading edge 280 as the bar is rotated. The means for opening the lock 262 comprises the arm 248 and its associated finger 252. Thus, as seen in FIG. 4, the plunger 42 has a limited free movement when it is pulled whereby the edge 280 can be pulled to the extent wherein it will abut plate 262. When the abutment takes place, pin 224 projecting outwardly from link 220 will be in the position shown in phantom at 224' in FIG. 4. While in this position, it will be spaced vertically above the bottom of arcuate recess 254 in arm 248. Accordingly, arm 248 will be pivoted upwardly around pin 250 by the urging of spring 256. When the arm 248 is pivoted upwardly, finger 252 will come in contact with the outer rim of disc 194, unless notch 206 is lowermost on the disc and above the pin 252. If the notch is lowermost on the disc, finger 252 will rise upwardly until it abuts the inner wall of the notch 206. The finger 252 is shown at 252 in FIG. 4 when it is fully received within the notch 206.

When the finger is received in the notch, arm 248 will be pivoted upwardly. As the arm rises, it will carry bracket 258 which is welded to the arm up with the arm. As the bracket 258 rises it will raise rod 260, which in turn will pivot plate 262 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 10. When the plate 262 is raised by the rod 260, the plate will be moved out of the path of leading edge 280 of link 220, whereby the bar 214 is free to pass under the plate 262. In this way, the lock formed by the plate 262 and the recess 218 is opened.

Once the lock has been opened, plunger 42 is free to continue a full-stroke operation, which in turn will result in the vending of the commodity associated with the plunger. Referring to FIG. 4, once the edge 280 has passed under plate 262, ratchet teeth 230 on link 226 will engage pawl 232. The purpose of this ratchet and pawl arrangement is to insure a fullstroke operation of the vending machine, once the plunger 42 has been able to proceed toward a full stroke operation after the lock has been opened. Thus, once the ratchet teeth have pivoted the pawl 232 clockwise, after first coming into contact with the pawl, the plunger can no longer be returned to its at rest position. This is because the plunger is integrally linked to the link 226 through bar 130, arm 214, and link 220. Therefore, once the vending movement of the plunger 42 has begun, the plunger must be pulled completely out in order to permit the ratchet teeth to bypass the spring-loaded pawl 232. After the plunger has been pulled completely forward and is subsequently returned, the ratchet teeth 230 will rotate the pawl 232 in a counterclockwise direction until the link 226 is returned to the position shown in FIG. 4. It should be understood that the ratchet teeth 230 will not come in contact with pawl 232 until such time as the plate 262 has been moved out of the path of leading edge 280 of link 220. Therefore, the full-stroke operation of the plunger 42 must only take place after the full-stroke operation has been initiated by the opening of the locking plate 262.

Once the plunger 42 has been used in a full stroke operation, a commodity in the column associated with the plunger will be vended. In the embodiment of the invention shown, vending takes place on the return stroke of the plunger. One mechanism suitable for delivering a commodity on the return stroke of the plunger is that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,160,3l4. However, it should be understood, that the specific mechanism for vending commodities forms no part of this invention. Thus, the pricing mechanisms of this invention is adapted to be used with any mechanical vending machine. The device of U8. Pat. No. 3,160,314 isincorporated by mechanism of this invention.

As seen in FIG. 2, lever 138 which is secured to bar 130 (FIG. 10) is positioned beside U-shaped member 70. However, the back leg 74 (FIG. 10) of U-shaped member 70 includes a lateral extension which will abut the leading leg 142 of yoke 140 when a plunger 42 is pulled. The pulling of the plunger will cause leg 74 to rotate bar 130. The rotation of bar 130 will in turn cause the rotation of all of the levers 138. However, the other levers 138 will bypass the leg 74 of the other U-shaped members 70 in view of the fact that'the rear leg 144 of yoke 140 is sufficiently short to prevent contact with the leg 74 of the other U-shaped members (see FIG. 4

Referring again to FIG. 10, it is seen that the leg 74 associated with the pulled plunger 42 will be received in slot 146 of the associated yoke 140. The leg 74 will remain in the slot 146 during the entire operation of the plunger 42 during vending. On the return stroke of the plunger 42, leg 74 will abut rear leg 144 of yoke 140. This will insure the return of lever 138 to the position shown in FIG. 10. When the lever 138 is returned to the position shown in FIG. 10, it will-in turn rotate bar 130 thereby reseating plate 262 in notch 218. This in turn relocks the vending machine and prevents further vending until additional coins have been deposited in the machine. If the lever 138 were not present, the bar 130 would be returned to the position shown in FIG. 10 solely by the urging of spring 136 (FIG. 3). This could present an unsatisfactory arrangement in that a user of the vending machine could possibly pull the plunger and return it to its at rest position so rapidly that is could be pulled a second time, thereby vending a second commodity, without the insertion of additional money into the machine. This could be accomplished in view of the fact that the urging of the spring 136 may not return the bar 130 to the position shown in FIG. 10 sufficiently rapidly to prevent the double vending operation. Thus, if the bar 130 were still in its forward position, thereby leaving the lock formed by plate 262 'and notch 218 in its unlocked position, the customer could continually pull and push the plunger to have continuous operation of the vending machine on a single insertion of money. However, providing the lever 138 mechanically insures that the lock will be closed when the plunger is returned to its at rest position while it is vending the commodity associated with it.

The foregoing discussion relates to the operation of the vending machine when the price disc 194 has been set for vending $.25 commodities, and $.25 has been deposited in the vending'machine. Referring again to the same plunger 42, which is shown on the right of FIG. 2, assume that has been deposited in the coin slot 46. In this case, the totalizer 170 will go through a stepped rotation of 36 from its at rest position. As pointed out above, when the price disc 194 has been set for vending commodities of $.25, it will be rotated 45 away from the lowermost position shown in FIG. 10. Thus, when only $.20 has been deposited in the coin slot, the notch 206 shown in FIG. 10 will be spaced 9 in a clockwise direction away from the position shown in FIG. 10.

When only $.20 has been deposited in the coin slot, the pulling of plunger 42 will again move pin 224 to the position shown at 224' in FIG. 4. At the same time, edge 280 of link 220 will abut the forward portion 270 of plate 262. With the pin in the position shown at 224, spring 256 (FIG. 4) will cause arm 248 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction around pin 250 (FIG. 4). This will in turn cause finger 252 to abut the outer circumference of disc 194. Since the pin 252 cannot enter notch 206, since the notch is spaced 9 away from its lowermost point which would permit entry to the finger 252, arm 248 cannot be pivoted upwardly under the urging of spring 256. Thus, bracket 258 will not be raised, and the associated link 260 and plate 262 will not be raised. Accordingly, the lock will remain closed, and plunger 42 will not be permitted to go through a full stroke operation in order to accomplish the vending of a commodity associated with the plunger.

The insertion of another $.05 into the vending machine will incrementally move the totalizer another 9 thereby bringing the notch 206 to the lowermost position shown in FIGS. 4 and 10. Thereafter, if the plunger is pulled, the finger 252 will enter the notch, and vending will be accomplished in the manner described above.

Assuming that the price disc 194 has been set to vend commodities at $.25, and the customer inadvertently inserts $.30 into the vending machine, the following sequence of steps will take place. Thus, again assuming the right plunger 42 in FIG. 2, which has been set through the use of plate 84 to use the price disc 194, is pulled, edge 280 of link 220 will again abut plate 262 when pin 224 is in the position shown at 224' in FIG. 4. Again, arm '248 will be urged in a counterclockwise direction by spring 256. However, the finger 252 will not be able to enter notch 206, since the notch will have gone beyond its lowermost position to a position which is 9 counterclockwise away from the position shown in FIGS. 4 and 10. Accordingly, finger 252 will abut the circumference of disc 194, and the lock will remain closed. Therefore, the customer will have to pull the coin retum lever '48 (FIG. 1) and thereafter deposit the correct amount of money for the vending operation.

It is thus seen that the vending machine of this invention will vend a commodity only when the exact amount of money has been deposited in the machine which corresponds to the price of the commodity. Thus, the machine will not operate if too little money or too much money has'been deposited. The fact that the machine will not operate when too much money has been deposited is a distinct advantage in that there will not be any dissatisfied customers who inadvertently placed too much money in the machine and thereafter obtained a commodity for more than the right amount of money. If this were to happen, not only would there be a dissatisfied customer, but there is also the distinct probability that the customer will vent his anger by kicking the machine or in some other way being abusive of the machine.

Although the vending operation has been described with reference to the right-hand plunger in FIG. 2, the same vending operation will apply to every plunger wherein the screw 86 is inserted in the left hole 82 of bar 76 (FIG. 8). Accordingly, the plungers associated with the plates designated 282, 284 and 286 in FIG. 2 will all be used in connection with the price disc 194. In other words, when any of these plungers is pulled, the plate 84 will abut leg of U-shaped member 108, and retain the bar 76 in the position shown in FIG. 2. Accordingly, arm 248 will always be associated with price disc 194 wherever one of the aforementioned plungers is pulled.

Assume it is also desired to vend commodities priced at $.35 in the vending machine 30. In this case a second price disc, which can be disc 192, is set to be used for vending commodities at $.35. The disc 192 is adjusted in the manner described with respect to FIG. 9. Thus its notch 206 will be placed 63 in a clockwise direction from the lowermost point of the disc. This is arrived at from the fact that each stepped increment on the totalizer is 9, with each increment being equal to $.05. Thus, seven increments will be needed in order to have the disc set for $.35.

After the price disc 192 has been set for its proper orientation to vend commodities at $.35, plate 84 must be set in place with its associated plunger 42 for each of the plungers that is to be used on a $.35 item. Accordingly, screw 86 must be placed in the center hole 82 on bar 76 for each of the $.35 plungers (see FIG. 8). Referring to FIG. 2, it is seen that the plates indicated at 288, 290 and 294 are set in place tobe used with disc 192. Thus, as is apparent from FIG. 2, each of the plates 288, 290 and 292 will be spaced slightly to the right of the associated leg 110 on U-shaped member 108 with each plunger 42.

When any of the plungers 42 associated with plates 288, 290 or 292 is pulled, bar will again be rotated in a clockwise direction (FIGS. 4 and 10) through the urging of back face 74 of U-shaped member 60 against the forward leg 142 of yoke 140. Here again, leg 74 associated with the pulled plunger will enter slot 146, while the back leg 144 of all of the other yokes will pass over the legs 74 of all of the other U shaped members 70. As seen in FIGS. and 6, the rotation of the bar 130 causes cam 148 to rotate in the direction of arrow 274. This permits the cam follower 154 to move in the direction of arrow 276 along cam surface 152. The follower will be urged along the cam surface in view of the fact that it is mounted on bar 76, which is in turn spring urged longitudinally in the direction of the cam by spring 164 (FIG. 2). Thus, when the plunger is pulled, the bar 76 will immediately be moved to the left, as viewed in FIG. 2. The movement of the bar 76 continues until the plate 84 abuts leg 110 associated with the pulled plunger.

The movement of the bar 76 to the left will also cause the movement of arm 248, which is pivotally secured to the bar, to the left. The spacing of plates 84 is such that the arm 248 will be moved a distance equal to the thickness of a price disc, such as price disc 194. Accordingly, arm 248 will no longer be aligned with price disc 194, but will now be aligned with price disc I92.

Simultaneously with the alignment of arm 248 with price disc 192, lever 212 will be pulled in a clockwise direction, which is indicated by arrow 294 in FIG. 4. At the same time, link 220 will be pulled in the direction of plate 262 until the leading edge 280 of the link abuts the plate. At this time, the pin 224 will again be moved to the position shown at 224' in FIG. 4. Arm 248 will again be urged in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 4, through the urging of spring 256. However, when using the plates 288, 290 or 292, the finger 252 will move toward disc I92, rather than disc 194.

The further operation of the plunger is identical to the operation described with respect to disc 194. Thus, if the customer has deposited $.35 into the vending machine, the finger 252 will enter the notch 206 in disc 192, and vending can be completed. If more than or less than $.35 has been deposited in the machine, and one of the plungers now mechanically coordinated with disc 192 is pulled, vending will be prevented in view of the fact that the lock formed by plate 262 and edge 280 has not been opened. Additionally, if $.35 has been deposited in the vending machine, and one of the plungers associated with disc 194, which has been set at $.25 is pulled, the arm 248 will remain aligned with disc 194, but there will be no vending, for the reasons set forth above. Thus, vending can only take place when one of the $.35 plungers has been pulled, and $.35 has been deposited in the machine.

Assume, now that it is also desired to vend commodities at $.45 on machine 30. In this case, disc 190 can be set to accommodate the $.45 items. Referring again to FIG. 9, notch 206 on disc 190 will be positioned 8l in a clockwise direction away from the lowermost point of disc 190. Here again, this positioning is arrived at from the fact that each stepped increment on the totalizer is 9, with each increment being equivalent to $.05 in value for the coins deposited. Ac-

cordingly, nine stepped increments are required in order to accomplish vending at $.45.

When the plungers are to be mechanically linked to disc 190, screw 86 is placed in the right hole 82 of bar 76 (FIG. 8). In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2, the plates 84 which are indicated at 296, 298 and 300 are set to have their associated plungers 92 mechanically cooperate with disc 190 in order to permit vending. Accordingly, when one of these plungers is pulled bar 130 will again be rotated in a clockwise direction, as described above, and cam 148 will again be rotated in order to permit bar 76 to shift to the left, as viewed in FIG. 2. In this case, the bar 76 will shift a sufficient distance to pennit arm 248 to be aligned with disc 190 (FIG. 2).

The vending operation will be identical to that described above with respect to discs 192 and 194. Thus, if $.45 has been deposited in the vending machine, and one of the plungers associated with plates 296, 298 or 300 is pulled, vending will take place. If more or less than $.45 has been deposited in the machine, and one of these plungers is pulled, vending will not take place. Likewise, if $.45 has been deposited in the machine and one of the plungers associated with disc 192 or I94 is pulled, vending will not take place.

It is thus seen that the plates 84 in combination with legs of U-shaped members 108 determine which price disc will be mechanically associated with which plunger. In this way, the price for any given plunger can be regulated through the use of an appropriate setting for a plate 84 and an appropriate setting for a price disc I90, 192 or 194. Whenever a pulled plunger is returned to its at-rest position, plate 76 will be returned to the position shown in FIG. 2 by the urging of cam 148 against cam follower 154 (see .FIG. 6). It should also be noted, as best seen in FIG. 10, that legs 110 are spaced slightly inwardly from plates 84. Thus, the legs 110 will not interfere with the lateral movement of bar 76 when any given plunger is pulled. The only stop for the lateral movement of the bar is the specific leg I10 associated with the pulled plunger 42.

It is thus seen that through the use of the above described coin mechanism it is possible to vend commodities of three difierent prices in a vending machine having a single coin slot. The mechanism is completely flexible in use, and any given column can be adjusted to vend commodities at any one of the three set prices through the use of plate 84 and its associated price disc. Although the machine has been described with using three price discs, thereby having three separate prices, it is to be understood that a substantially larger number of different prices can be accommodated while utilizing the concepts of this invention. Thus, by using additional price discs, and a similar number of additional holes 82 in association with plate 84, as many as eight separate prices can be used on a single vending machine having a single coin slot.

After the plunger 42 has been pulled completely out for vending a commodity, the money deposited in the machine passes from an escrow or coin bucket into a container where it is finally collected. The coin bucket and its associated mechanisms are seen in FIGS. 4 and 11 to 13. As seen in FIGS. 4 and 12, the escrow or coin bucket 302 is positioned beneath totalizer 170. Thus, when coins are deposited in coin slot 46, they will pass into chute 304 (FIG. 11) and into the coin separator and slug rejector 168. Thereafter, the coins pass from the coin separator into chute 306 (FIG. 12) in the totalizer I70. Slugs or other spurious coins are retained in the coin separator and slug rejector 168 by magnets, or other means known to the art. As pointed out above, the specific coin separator and totalizer used form no part of this invention, as any of the coin separators and totalizers known to the art can be used in carrying out this invention. The deposited coins which have been accepted pass through the chute 306, are totalled on the shaft of the totalizer, and are collected in bucket 302.

Referring again to FIG. 4, once the correct amount of money has been deposited in the machine, and the plunger 42 is permitted to go through its full stroke operation in order to dispense the commodity associated with the plunger, lever 226 will be moved in the direction of arrow 240. Pawl 232 insures that the plunger 42 will go through a full-stroke operation once the leading edge 280 of link 220 has passed the forward portion 270 of plate 262. As the lever 226 is moved in the direction of arrow 240, it will be pivoted around pin 308 which is mounted on frame plate 310.

Lever 226 includes a slot 312 having an upper bent portion 314 and a lower arcuate portion 316. As seen in FIGS. 12 and 13, bucket 302 includes a bottom horizontal plate 318 having lower dependent bosses 320 and 322. Bars 324 and 326 are pivotally linked to bosses 320 and 322, respectively, by shaft 328. A second shaft 330 passes through bars 324 and 326 at a position below shaft 328. Sleeves 332 are telescoped over the outer ends of shaft 330, are rotatably mounted thereon, and are held in place by any conventional means, such as split collars 334. One sleeve 332 passes through arcuate slot 336 in framing wall 310 and the other sleeve 332 passes through arcuate slot 338 in framing wall 56. A third shaft 340 (FIG. 13) passes through the bottom portions of bars 324 and 326, and is is telescoped over shaft 340 and spaces bars 324 and 326.

Outer sleeves 344 are telescoped over shaft 340 and space the bars from their adjacent framing walls. As seen in FIG. 13, bar 326 is pivotally mounted at its ends by shafts 328 and 340. Likewise, bar 324 is pivotally mounted at its ends by the same shafts. Sleeve 332 is positioned in slot 312 of lever 226, as best seen in FIG. 4. Lever 226 also includes an arm 346 which is offset from the main body of thelever by section 348 (FIG. 12). A flange 350 projects from the top of arm 346 in the direction of coin bucket 302.

As seen in FIGS. 4 and 12 a bar 352 is pivotally mounted on frame wall 310 by pin 354. The bar is nonnally urged to the position shown in FIG. 4 by spring 356. As finger 358 projects from bar 352 into hole 360 in wall 310 (FIG. 4). A lip 362 projects from bar 352 in the direction of arm 346 of lever 226 (FIG. 12

Referring again to FIGS. 12 and 13, it is seen that plate 318 of coin bucket 302 is positioned at the bottom of the walls 364 and 366 of the coin bucket. However, the plate 318, although forming the bottom of the coin bucket, is completely detached from the walls of the coin bucket. The plate 318 is supported in the horizontal position shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 by rods 368 and 370 which are mounted in walls 56 and 310. Plate 318 is freely slidablealong the tops of rods 368 and 370.

In use, lever 226 will be pivoted in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 4, when plunger 42 is pulled for full-stroke operation. When the plunger .is in its outennost position lever 226 will be pivoted to its greatest extent. During the pivoting, rotatable sleeve 332 and its associated shaft 330 are moved in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 4, by the pressure of the edge of upper portion 314 of slot 312 against the sleeve. The movement of the sleeve will in turn cause the movement of bars 324 and 325 toward the rear of the machine, in view of the fact that the bars are pivotally mounted on shaft 340. Therefore, bar 326 will be moved to the position shown at 326 in FlG. 13.

The movement of bars 324 and 326 toward the rear of the machine, as indicated by arrow 372 in FIG. 13, will in turn cause the sliding of plate 318 along rods 368 and 370. This is accomplished in view of the fact that bars 324 and 326 are pivotally linked to the plates through shaft 328. Continued movement of the plate 318 will eventually tilt the plate to the position shown at 318' in FIG. 13. The angular movement of the plate is caused by the angular configuration of slot 314, which acts as a cam on sleeve 332. When this position is reached, the coins which have been deposited in coin bucket 302 will slide off plate 318 in the direction of arrow 373 where they are collected in a coin collector within the machine. Therefore, when the plunger 42 is pulled for vending the commodity associated therewith, and when the proper amount of money has been placed in the machine, the lever 226, through the action of the upper portion 314 of slot 312 on sleeve 332, will pivot the bar 326 in the direction of arrow 372, thereby permitting the collection of the money which has been deposited. On the return stroke of the plunger 42, the commodity will be dispensed.

When the plunger 42 is returned to its at-rest position, slot 314 will again act on sleeve 332, thereby returning the bar 326 to the position shown in full line in FIG. 13. It is to be understood that simultaneously with the return of bar 326, bar 324 will be returned. As the bar is returned to its original position, plate 318 will be returned to the position shown in full line in FIG. 13. Thereafter, the vending machine is ready for the reception of additional money in order to carry out a new vending operation.

While the lever 226 is carrying out its function of collecting the deposited money when vending takes place, it simultaneously carries out the function of clearing the totalizer, thereby returning its shaft to the position wherein there is no money credited. This is accomplished by the pivoting of finger 350 on arm 346 (FIG. 12) into lip 362 of bar 352. Thus, as the lever 226 is pivoted, flange 350 will bear against lip 362, thereby pivoting bar 352 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 4. The pivoting is continued until finger 358 abuts the lower edge of opening 360, Thereafter, when lever 226 is returned to the position shown in FIG. 4 by the return of plunger 42, bar 352 will be returned to the position shown in FIG. 4 by the urging of spring 356. At this time, the totalizer will have been cleared of all credit which had been accumulated by the depositing of coins in order to accomplish the vending operation. The linkage for clearing the totalizer is well-known to the art, and forms no part of this invention.

The coin return mechanism is best seen in FIGS. 11 and 12. This mechanism includes a bar 374 which is connected to coin return plunger 48 FIGS. 1 and 3). Bar 374 includes a flange 376 at-its inner end. Flange 376 is adapted to abut vertical leg 378 of coin return lever 380. Lever 380 is pivotally mounted on frame wall 56 by pin 382. Lever 380 includes a slot 384 having an upper portion 386 and a lower portion 388. Sleeve 332 projects through slot 384. Upper portion 386 is identical to upper portion 314 of slot 312. Additionally, lower portion 388 is identical to lower portion 316 of slot 312. The two slots 312 and 384 are aligned with each other. Accordingly, when sleeve 332 is pivoted rearwardly by the action of slot 312, the sleeve 332 in slot 384 is pivoted rearwardly within lower portion 388 of slot 384. At the same time the portions of sleeves 332 in slots 336 and 338 (FIGS. 12 and 13) will also be pivoted rearwardly within the slots.

Lever 380 includes an arm 390 which is offset from the central portion of the lever by extension 392. A flange 394 projects inwardly toward coin bucket 302 from the top of arm 390 (FIG. 12). A spring 396 (FIG. 11) holds the lever 380 in the position shown in FIG. 11. The flange 376 acts as a stop for the pivotal movement of lever 380 around pin 382 through the urging of spring 396.

A bar 398 is pivotally secured on framing wall 56 by pin 400. Bar 398 includes an upper flange 402 and a lower lip 404. A rod 406 has one end secured in flange 402. The other end of rod 406 is connected to the coin separator and slug rejector 168, in a manner well-known to the art. The rod 406 is a slug release rod, and is used in a manner to be described hereinafter. As an alternate embodiment, rod 406 can be secured to lever 380 instead of bar 398.

When a user of the vending machine desires to have the deposited coins returned, plunger 48 FIGS. 1 and 3) is pulled. In addition to returning the deposited coins, plunger 48 will also have to be pulled when a slug or other spurious coin has been placed in the vending machine. Thus, the slug rejector 168 will magnetically attract any slugs or spurious coins which have been deposited. When this occurs, no further coins can pass through the coin separator and slug rejector, and in order to make the machine usable again, it is necessary to clear the slug rejector of the spurious coins or slugs. Accordingly, when the coin return plunger is pulled, not only will the deposited coins which have reached the coin bucket 302 be returned, but in addition, the coin separator and slug rejector will be cleared of all slugs, spurious coins and other coins of value which have been unable to pass through the coin separator. Accordingly, all of the coins retained in the coin separator 168 will pass through the coin separator, through chute 306 (FIG. 12) in totalize r 170, into coin bucket 302, and out of the coin bucket to the coin return chute along with the other coins being returned.

Functionally, when coin return plunger 48 is pulled, bar 374 is pulled forward in the direction of arrow 408. Bar 374 will, in turn, pivot lever 380 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 11, around pin 382. As the lever 380 is pivoted, sleeve 332 will be moved toward the right, as viewed in FIG. 11, by the action of the upper portion 386 of slot 384 on the sleeve. The forward movement of sleeve 332 will in turn cause the movement of bars 324 and 326 in a forward direction, as indicated by arrow 410 in FIG. 13. While the sleeve 332 is being moved forwardly in slot 382, the other sleeve 332 moves forwardly in the lower portion 316 of slot 312 (FIG. 4).

The forward movement of the sleeves will cause bar'326 to move to the position shown in phantom at 326" in FIG. 13. Likewise, bar 324 will move forwardly to a similar position. The movement of bars 324 and 326 forwardly results in the tilting of plate 318 to the position shown in phantom at 318" in FIG. 13. With the plate 318 in this position, all of the coins on the plate will slide off the plate in the direction of arrow 412. The coins will then pass into a chute from which they will be delivered back to the customer by way of the commodity delivery chute 44 shown in FIG. 1.

At the time the lever 380 is pivoted clockwise by the pulling of the coin return plunger, flange 394 comes downwardly into contact with lip 404 of bar 398. Continued pivotal movement of lever 380 will depress bar 398 by the urging of flange 394 into lip 404. During the initial downward movement of bar 398 the totalizer 170 will be reset. Thus. any money which has passed through the totalizer into the coin bucket 302 would have been previously recorded on the totalizer, and the totalizer would have been advanced from its no-credit position. All of the credit which has been recorded will be removed by returning the totalizer again to its no-credit position. At the same time, rod 406 will release any of the slugs or spurious coins which have been retained in the coin separator and slug rejector 168. As pointed out above, all of the spurious coins and coins of value within the slug rejector will be released, will pas through the totalizer, and into the coin bucket 302. Thereafter, all of these coins will pass out of the coin bucket in the direction of arrow 412, along with any of the other coins that have previously reached the coin bucket after passing through the totalizer. The specific linkage between rod 406 and the coin separator has not been shown, as linkages of this type are well-known to the art. The specific linkage used in this invention forms no part of the invention.

Although the clearing of the totalizer, the rejection of the slugs, and the coin return take place substantially simultaneously, in actual practice, the totalizer will be cleared and reset, and the coins within the slug rejector will be delivered to the coin bucket 302 prior to the opening of the coin bucket. This insures that a customer will not be able to partially pull the coin return lever, thereby returning the coins, while at the same time leaving the totalizer in its advanced position with credit of the deposited coins thereon. Thus, before the customer will get any of the coins returned, the totalizer will have been cleared.

After the coins have been returned, plunger 48 is returned to its at-rest position by the urging of spring 396 against leg 378 of lever 380. This will return bar 374 to the position shown in FIG. 11, which will, in turn, return the plunger to its original position. After lever 380 is returned to the position shown in FIG. 11, bar 398 is returned to the position shown in FIG. 11 by the urging of spring 414. With the return of the lever 380, the plate 318 is returned to the position shown in full line in FIG. 13. The return of the plate is accomplished by the action of upper portion 386 of track 384 on sleeve 332. After'the coins have been returned, and totalizer has been reset, the vending machine is again ready for use.

As pointed out above, the coin mechanism of this invention is adapted for use with any mechanical vending machine known to the art. By way of specific example, it can be used in connection with the vending machine disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,160,3l4. In FIGS. 14 and 15, the shelf mechanism for dispensing the commodities in the vending machine is shown. This shelf mechanism is identical to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,160,314. However, FIGS. 14 and 15 contain the linkage used for locking out a given plunger when all of the commodities contained on the column associated with the plunger have been vended. In other words, once there are no further commodities in a given column, the plunger associated with the column will automatically be pennanently locked out, regardless of the amount of money that has been deposited in the vending machine. The plunger will not be able to be activated again until the column associated with the plunger has been restocked with commodities.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, it is seen that each column comprises a channel member 416 which is held in place within the machine by angle bracket 418. A plurality of shelves 420 is pivotally mounted to channel member 416 by pivot pins 422. Each shelf is adapted to hold a single commodity.

A pawl bar 423 is mounted to the rear of channel member 416. The pawl bar is vertically reciprocable in brackets 424 and 426, as indicated by arrow 428. A plurality of pawls 430 is pivotally mounted in pawl bar 423 by pins 432. Each pawl includes a lower finger 434 and an upper finger 436.

The control for the pawl bar 423 comprises a slotted guide plate 438 through which control bar 72 passes. The control bar 72 is operatively connected with plunger 42, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 10. Accordingly, bar 72 is reciprocable along with the plungers, as indicated by arrow 440. Bar 72 is pivotally connected to bar 442 by pin 444. Bar 442 is also pivotally connected to pawl bar 423 by pin 446. Bar 448 is secured to bar 442 and passes through an opening 450 (FIG. 14) in channel member 416. A coiled spring 452 is biased against the bottom of pawl bar 423, and retains the pawl bar in the position shown in FIGS. 14 and 15.

The lockout mechanism for each column includes a T- shaped plate 454 having a crossmember 456 and a leg 458. Each plate 454 is pivotally mounted on channel 416 by pivot pin 460 on mounting plate 462. As best seen in FIG. 14, each shelf 420 includes a rearwardly extending lip 464. As further seen in FIG. 14, with the shelves 420 in a horizontal position, wherein they will be holding a commodity for vending, crossmember 456 of plate 454 abuts the lip 464 of uppermost shelf 420. A plate 466 projects outwardly from latch plate 468, which is in turn pivotally mounted on channel member 416. A rod 470 has one end pivotally linked in leg 458 of plate 454 and the other end pivotally linked in plate 466. Arm 72 includes a locking notch 472 in its upper surface adjacent latch plate 468.

In use, a single commodity will be placed on each shelf 420. The function of control bar 72 and pawl bar 423 with respect to the pivoting of the shelves for dispensing is fully described in aforementioned US. Pat. No. 3,160,314. Accordingly, a complete description of the function of these elements need not be repeated here. However, by way of brief summary, whenever control bar 72 is pulled toward the front of the machine by pulling plunger 42, pawl bar 423.will be moved downwardly, thereby depressing spring 452. At this time, the lowermost upper finger 436 on a pawl 430 will be cammed over the lip 464 of the lowermost shelf 420, and eventually will be positioned beneath the shelf. All of the other fingers 436 will be cammed away from the lips 464 by the abutment of their lower fingers 434 against the tops of the lips, and the resultant pivoting in a counterclockwise directiomas viewed in FIG. 14, around pins 432. On the return stroke of the plunger, the top of the lowermost finger 436 will abut the bottom of the lowermost lip 464, and as the pawl bar 423 continues to rise under the urging of spring 452, will trip the shelf 420 to pivot it downwardly to the position shown in FIG. 15.

As the vending operation is continued, the lowest horizontal shelf will be tripped each time the plunger is pulled and returned after a full stroke operation. At the time the uppermost shelf 420 is tripped for vending the commodity which has been placed thereon, the column containing all of the tripped shelves will then be locked out against further vending. The locking-out is accomplished by the movement of the uppermost shelf 420 from the position shown in FIG. 14 to the pivoted position shown in FIG. 15. When the uppermost shelf 420 is tripped and pivoted downwardly, T-shaped plate 454 will be pivoted around pins 460 in a counterclockwise direction from the position shown in FIG. 14 to the position shown in FIG. 15. The pivoting of the plate 454 permits rod 470 to move downwardly by the pivoting of latch plate 468 on channel member 416. Accordingly, latch plate 468 will pivot from the position shown in FIG. 14 to the position shown in FIG. 15. While in the position shown in FIG. 15, the latch plate 468 will be received in notch 472 of control bar 72. This, 

1. A vending machine comprising a plurality of columns for merchandise, a manually operable member for dispensing said merchandise associated with each column, a single lock means preventing dispensing operation of all of the manually operable members until a predetermined amount of money has been deposited in said vending machine, coin responsive means for mechanically indicating the total amount of money deposited in said vending machine, lock control means associated with said coin responsive means, and feeler means associated with said operable member, said feeler means adapted to contact said lock control means when one of said operable members is moved to effect dispensing of said merchandise, said feeler means in combination with said lock control means when one of said operable members is moved to effect dispensing of said merchandise, said feeler means in combination with said lock control means causing the opening of said lock means only when a predetermined amount of money has been deposited in said vending machine, whereby said one of said operable members may be operated to dispense merchandise from its associated column when said predetermined amount of money has been deposited.
 2. The vending machine of claim 1 wherein said lock control means is adjustable, whereby the amount of money required to permit opening of said lock means can be varied.
 3. The vending machine of claim 1 wherein said lock means comprises a latch, and said latch is moved from its locking position when said predetermined amount of money has been deposited.
 4. The vending machine of claim 3 wherein said feeler means is associated with a pivotable arm, and said latch is pivotally mounted, with linking means connecting said arm and said latch, whereby the pivoting of said arm will pivot said latch in order to remove said latch from a locking position.
 5. The vending machine of claim 1 and further including means for locking said lock means after said merchandise has been dispensed.
 6. The vending machine of claim 5 wherein said means for locking said lock means comprises a bar which is common to all of said operable members, with the bar permitting said feeler means to contact said lock control means when said one of said operable members is moved to effecT dispensing, with said bar being moved along with said operable member, said bar causing the movement of said feeler means away from said control means when said one of said operable members is returned to its original position.
 7. The vending machine of claim 6 wherein said bar is rotatably mounted, and has secured thereon lever means, said lever means comprising a lever associated with each operable member, whereby the moving of said one of said operable members will bring means associated with said one of said operable members into contact with said lever means to rotate said bar.
 8. The vending machine of claim 7 wherein said lever means includes a yoke, and said means associated with said operable member comprises an upstanding leg which is received in a slot formed in said yoke, said yoke including a leading and a trailing leg defining said slot, with said upstanding leg rotating said bar in a direction to permit unlocking of said lock means by bearing against said leading leg, and said upstanding leg rotating said bar in the opposite direction to cause relocking of said lock means by bearing against said trailing leg.
 9. The vending machine of claim 1 and further including means for retaining money that has been deposited in said vending machine, said retaining means including plate means at the base thereof, said plate means being pivotable in one direction to collect money when an item of merchandise has been vended, and being pivotable in the opposite direction to return the deposited money to the customer.
 10. The vending machine of claim 9 wherein said plate means is slidably mounted on horizontal supporting means, with said plate means being slid along said supporting means prior to being pivoted to deliver said money from said maintaining means for said money.
 11. A vending machine comprising a plurality of columns for merchandise, a manually operable member for dispensing said merchandise associated with each column, lock means normally preventing dispensing operation of all of the manually operable members, coin responsive means for mechanically indicating the total amount of money deposited in said vending machine, a plurality of lock control means associated with said coin responsive means, each of said lock control means being adjustable to permit the opening of said lock means after a different predetermined amount of money has been deposited in the vending machine, a single feeler means associated with said operable members, said feeler means adapted to contact one of said lock control means when one of said operable members is moved to effect dispensing of said merchandise, control-determining means associated with each of said plungers, said control-determining means adapted to associate said feeler means with one of said lock control means, said feeler means in combination with one of said lock control means causing the opening of said lock means when a first predetermined amount of money has been deposited in said vending machine, whereby one of said operable members may be operated to dispense merchandise from its associated column when said first predetermined amount of money has been deposited and said feeler means has been associated with the lock control means preset at said first predetermined amount of money, and whereby another of said operable members may be operated to dispense merchandise from its associated column when a second predetermimed amount of money has been deposited, and said feeler means has been associated with the lock control means preset to vend commodities at said second predetermined amount of money.
 12. The vending machine of claim 11 wherein each of said price control means comprises a disc, each of said discs having a notch formed in the circumference thereof, said coin responsive means rotating a shaft incrementally proportional to the value of the coins deposited in said vending machine, said discs being rotatable along with said shafts, with said discs permitting the opening of said lock means when said Notch is aligned with said feeler means.
 13. The vending machine of claim 12 wherein said feeler means comprises a finger adapted to be received in said notch, with said notch being slightly larger in size than the size of said finger, whereby said finger will not enter said notch unless said finger is exactly aligned with said notch, thereby preventing the opening of said lock means if more or less than the predetermined amount of money set for said disc has been inserted in said vending machine.
 14. The vending machine of claim 11 wherein a single lock means is provided for all of said manually operable members.
 15. A vending machine comprising a plurality of columns for merchandise, a manually operable member for dispensing said merchandise associated with each column, a price bar associated with all of said manually operable members, said price bar being slidably mounted and being spring urged in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of said manually operable members, adjustable stop means secured to said price bar for each manually operable member, lock means normally preventing dispensing operation of all of the manually operable members, coin responsive means for mechanically totaling the amount of money deposited in said vending machine, a plurality of lock control means associated with said coin responsive means, each of said lock control means being adjustable to permit the opening of said lock means after a different predetermined amount of money has been deposited in the vending machine, feeler means associated with said operable members, said feeler means adapted to contact one of said lock control means when one of said operable members is moved to effect dispensing of said merchandise, said feeler means being secured to said slidable price bar, with said feeler means being aligned with only one of said lock control means when one of said operable members is moved to effectuate a dispensing operation, and said stop means determine which of said lock control means will be aligned with said feeler means, whereby the price for rendering each manually operable member operational for dispensing a commodity is determined by the position of said stop means and the adjustment of the lock control means.
 16. The vending machine of claim 15 wherein each of said stop means comprises a plate secured to said price bar, and said manually operable member includes a plate that is moved with said manually operable member, with said plate on said price bar abutting said plate of said manually operable member in order to provide a stop for said slidable price bar.
 17. The vending machine of claim 16 wherein each of said plates on said price bar can be secured at a plurality of positions on said price bar in order to adjust said stop means.
 18. The vending machine of claim 15 and further including cam means associated with said slidable price bar, said cam means permitting the sliding of said price bar when said manually operable member is moved in order to effectuate the vending of a commodity, and said cam means returning said price bar to an at-rest position when said manually operable member is returned to its original position.
 19. The vending machine of claim 18 wherein bar means common to all of said manually operable members is provided, said bar means being moved when one of said manually operable members is moved in order to effectuate vending of a commodity, said cam means being controlled by the movement of said common bar.
 20. The vending machine of claim 18 and further including cam follower means associated with said slidable price bar.
 21. In a vending machine including a plurality of merchandise columns, a merchandise ejector mechanism associated with each column, and lock means preventing the dispensing of merchandise prior to the insertion of a predetermined amount of money into the vending machine, the improvement comprising means for totaling the amount of money deposited in the vending machine, said totaling means inCluding a shaft rotatable in increments proportionate to the value of the deposited money, a plurality of discs associated with said shaft and rotatable therewith, each of said discs having a notch therein, the position of said notch of each disc being adjustable, and feeler means associated with lock release means, said feeler means including a finger adapted to be brought into contact with all of said discs, but with only one of said discs when a coin merchandise ejector mechanism is utilized, with said finger being able to enter a notch in said one of said discs to effectuate the opening of said lock means only when a predetermined amount of money has been deposited in said vending machine, and said finger being unable to enter said notch when more or less than said predetermined amount of money has been deposited in said vending machine.
 22. The vending machine of claim 21 wherein said lock means comprises a bar that is moved along with the merchandise ejector mechanism, said bar having a slot therein, and a plate engageable within said slot, said lock means being closed so long as said plate is within said slot, said finger of said feeler means being on a pivotally mounted arm, said plate being linked to said arm, whereby said arm will be pivoted when said finger enters said notch and said plate will be lifted out of said slot in order to permit vending by said merchandise ejector mechanism.
 23. The vending machine of claim 21 wherein the opening of said lock means will permit at least one, but not all, merchandise ejector mechanisms to dispense the merchandise in the columns associated with said merchandise ejector mechanisms.
 24. In a vending machine including a plurality of merchandise columns, a manually operable member for dispensing said merchandise associated with each column, lock means for all of said manually operable members, and a plurality of coin responsive control means adapted to unlock one or more, but not all, of said manually operable members in order to permit dispensing of the merchandise from the columns associated with said members, the improvement comprising a price bar common to all of said manually operable members, said price bar having secured thereto feeler means, said feeler means adapted to mechanically associate each one of said manually operable members with one of said coin responsive control means, and a plurality of stop means on said price bar, with one stop means for each manually operable member, said stop means being adjustable and being adapted to mechanically associate a given manually operable member with a given coin responsive control means.
 25. The vending machine of claim 24 wherein said price bar is slidable relative to said manually operable members, and said stop means each comprise a plate releasably secured to said price bar, said plate being securable to said price bar at a plurality of locations for each manually operable member, with each location mechanically associating said manually operable member with a different coin responsive control means.
 26. The vending machine of claim 25 and further including cam means associated with said price bar, said cam means permitting the sliding of said price bar when said manually operable member is moved in a direction to effectuate dispensing of the merchandise in its associated column, and said cam means returning said price bar to its original position when said mechanically operable member is returned to its original position.
 27. The vending machine of claim 26 wherein said price bar is spring urged and has cam follower means mounted thereon. 